1. What is an IPRC? Regulation 181/98 of Education Act
All school boards must set up IPRC
Identification, Placement and Review Committee
School boards must provide or purchase special education programs and services for exceptional students

2. IPRC Composed of at least three persons
One must be principal or supervisory officer of the board

3. Role Decide whether or not student should be identified as exceptional
Identify areas of exceptionality, using categories and definitions from Ministry
Decide an appropriate placement
Review identification and placement at least once in each school year

4. Who is exceptional?
“A pupil whose behavioral, communicational, intellectual, physical or multiple exceptionalities are such that he or she is considered to need placement in a special education program…”

5. What is a special education program?
Defined in Education Act
Based on and modified by the results of continuous assessment and evaluation
Includes a plan (Individual Education Plan:IEP) containing specific objectives and an outline of special education services that meet the needs of the exceptional pupil

6. What are special education services?
Defined in Education Act
Facilities and resources, including support personnel and equipment, necessary for developing and implementing a special education program

7. What is an IEP?
Must be developed for a student in consultation with the parent
Specific educational expectations
Outline of special education program and services that will be received
Statement about the methods by which student’s progress will be reviewed

8. What is an IEP?
Students 14 years and older( except gifted), a plan for transition to appropriate to post secondary school activities, e.g. work, further education, community living
IEP must be completed within 30 days after the student has been placed in the program and the principal must ensure the parent receives a copy

9. How is IPRC Meeting Requested?
Principal:
Must request IPRC meeting for student, upon receiving written request from parent
With written notice to parent, refer to IPRC when principal and teacher believe the student may benefit from a special education program

10. How is IPRC Meeting Requested?
Within 15 days provide copy of board’s
Parents’ Guide to Special Education, acknowledge parent’s request and a written statement of approximately when the IPRC will meet

11. May parents attend the IPRC?
Regulation 181/98 entitles parents and students 16 years and older:
to be present at and participate in all committee discussions about the student
to be present when the committee’s identification and placement decision is made

12. Who else may attend? Principal of student’s school
other resource people, e.g classroom teacher, special education staff, board support staff, representative of an agency, who may provide further information or clarification

13. Who else may attend?
representative of parent or student 16 years+ to provide support or speak on behalf of parent or student
an interpreter, if one is required, e.g. sign language, oral, specific language

14. Who may request that others attend?
Either the parent or principal

15. What information will parents receive about IPRC meeting?
At least 10 days in advance chair will provide written notification of the meeting and an invitation to attend
Provide notification of the date, time and place of the meeting
Ask parents to indicate whether they will attend

16. What information will parents receive about IPRC meeting?
Before IPRC meeting, parent receives written copy of any information about their child that the chair of the IPRC has received
May include results of assessments or a summary of information

17. If parents are unable to attend...
Principal arranges alternate date or time OR
Principal forwards to parent as soon as possible after the meeting, for consideration and signature, IPRC’s written statement of decision regarding identification and placement and any recommendations regarding programs and services

18. The IPRC Meeting
Chair introduces everyone and explains purpose of meeting
IPRC reviews all information about the student
Consider: educational, health or psychological assessment

19. The IPRC Meeting
Interview the student with parent’s permission, if less than 16 years old
Consider information submitted by parent or student 16 years+
Discuss special education program/ services
Parents encouraged to participate
Make a decision

20. Placement Decision
Before placement in a special education class, must consider whether placement in regular class with special education services will:
meet the student’s needs
be consistent with parental preferences
Special education placement-requires written statement of reasons

21. Written Statement of Decision
Whether student is exceptional
Where the student is exceptional
Categories and definitions of exceptionality
Description of student strengths/weaknesses
Placement decision
Recommendations for program/services
Reasons for special education placement

22. What next? If parent agrees with decision, sign statement
If student exceptional, board notifies principal of the need for an IEP

23. Review
Review IPRC meeting held within the school year unless parent cancels
Parent may request review IPRC meeting any time after child has been in special education program for 3 months
Review same type of information as original meeting

24. Review
Consider progress in relation to IEP with parental written permission
Review placement and identification decisions and decide whether to continue or make a new decision

25. Decision If parent does not agree:
within 15 days of receipt of decision request a second meeting
within 30 days of receipt of decision file a notice of appeal with the secretary of the board
Notice of appeal within 15 days of decision after second meeting

26. Decision
If parent does not consent but does not appeal, board will instruct principal to implement decision